Al Jazira target Hertha Berlin’s Hajime Hosogai: ‘We are hopeful of a deal but nothing is finalised’

Hosogai, Hertha Berlin’s Japan defender, is a candidate to replace Jucilei da Silva at Al Jazira. Jucilei left Jazira to join Chinese Super League club Shandong Luneng on a permanent deal, reports Amith Passela.

Hajime Hosogai, right, shown here celebrating a goal for the Japan national team, is in transfer talks with Al Jazira. Koki Nagahama/Getty Images

ABU DHABI // Hajime Hosogai, Hertha Berlin's Japan defender, is a candidate to replace Jucilei da Silva at Al Jazira.

Jucilei this week left Jazira to join Chinese Super League club Shandong Luneng on a permanent deal.

The Brazilian midfielder had taken the role of Asian player at Jazira after obtaining a Palestinian passport and Hosogai, capped 25 times by Japan, has emerged as a candidate to fill that spot.

Read more:

“We are in talks with the player (Hosogai) and he seems to be happy with our offer. So we are hopeful of a deal but nothing is finalised,” said an official at the club.

“It is the time of the year when everyone is looking forward to transfer news but we can’t reveal each and everything on the negotiations or signing new players until they are confirmed, signed on paper.

“To reveal our talks with prospective players could have damaging results and breakdowns on the negotiations we are on. Hence the club management has decided only to announce the new players officially once the deals are completed and signed.”

Hosogai, 29, began his professional career at Urawa Red Diamonds and has also played for Bundesliga clubs Bayer Leverkusen and Augsburg.

Follow us on Twitter at NatSportUAE